1
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf people
the deaf community
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf culture
deaf education
2
: unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded
… when men are determined on mutiny, they are deaf to reason.—
Washington Irving
Washington IrvingExamples of deaf in a Sentence
He has been deaf since birth.
She's completely deaf in her right ear.
He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
Recent Examples on the Web
Most people here are deaf and communicate using sign language.
—Mogomotsi Magome, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Dec. 2024
Readers learn of their inspirational bond, what is means to be deaf in America and how the team’s head coach spearheaded the entire team.
—Christopher Murray, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024
Both of her parents were deaf and communicated through sign language, while her dad worked as a wallpaper trimmer and her mom as a domestic helper, according to the Daily Mail.
—Makena Gera, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf man after bodycam video shows Phoenix police punching and tasing him on the ground
Body camera footage shows the officer was the first to outstretch his arms toward McAlpin while McAlpin’s arms remained by his side.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deaf 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mogomotsi Magome, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Dec. 2024
Readers learn of their inspirational bond, what is means to be deaf in America and how the team’s head coach spearheaded the entire team.
—Christopher Murray, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024
Both of her parents were deaf and communicated through sign language, while her dad worked as a wallpaper trimmer and her mom as a domestic helper, according to the Daily Mail.
—Makena Gera, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf man after bodycam video shows Phoenix police punching and tasing him on the ground
Body camera footage shows the officer was the first to outstretch his arms toward McAlpin while McAlpin’s arms remained by his side.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deaf
Dictionary Entries Near deaf
Cite this Entry
“Deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deaf. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deaf
adjective1
: wholly or partly unable to hear
2
: unwilling to hear or listen
deaf to all suggestions
deafness
noun
Medical Definition
deaf
adjective
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf adults
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf education
deafness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share